title: Achromatic luminance contrast sensitivity in X-linked color-deficient observers: an addition to the debate.
abstract: It is a matter of debate whether X-linked dichromacy is accompanied by enhanced achromatic processing. In the present study, we used sinusoidally modulated achromatic gratings under photopic conditions to compare the contrast sensitivity (CS) of protanopes, deuteranopes, and normal trichromats. 36 male volunteers were examined. CS was tested in static and dynamic conditions at nine different spatial frequencies. The results support the assumption that X-linked color-defective observers are at an advantage in terms of achromatic processing. Both protanopes and deuteranopes had significantly better CS than controls in both the static and the dynamic conditions. In the static condition, the advantage was observed especially at higher spatial frequencies, whereas in the dynamic condition, it was seen also at lower frequencies. The results are interpreted in terms of decreased chromatic modulation of the luminance channel and the early plasticity of the parvocellular system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Márta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janáky
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borbély
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benedek
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Balázs Péter
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kocsis
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gábor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Braunitzer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003118:Color Perception; D055253:Color Vision / Q000502:physiology*; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000151:congenital* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D011601:Psychophysics; D055815:Young Adult